Impact of SAD to Students

The author is Teacher Fernando, Pampanga ***** III at Pampanga High School SDO-City of San Jenny D. Hipolito

As an elementary teacher, students nowadays are quite energetic and always active in everything. But what about those with low self- esteem? Students who hates socializing with other people and does not participate in the cl ass?

There are people who are confused between shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder or SAD. Shyness is definitely different from Social Anxiety Disorder. Shyness is a personal trait. Students who are shy do not have negative emotions that accompany social anxiety disorder. As for those who have social anxiety disorder, it is a prevalent mental issue in terms of social interactions and other performances that requires a big amount of audiences. It is the deep fear of being rejected by someone whenever they communicate to people.

It is very important to know the difference between the two because if we treat those students who are shy as having a social anxiety disorder, it will lead to stereotyping that can have a negative impact to the students. Social Anxiety Disorder has a big contribution to the impairment of life of an individual especially the youth because they are the most vulnerable to develop this mental issue at early stage.

Those who suffer from social anxiety disorder are being judged and there is always a stigma that they are a threat and dangerous that can harm others and their selves. But these are not true at all. They only suffer from personal, social and academic problems.

When it comes to the academic problems of students, they are usually restricted or reserved whenever there is a group tasks or performance. They would avoid interacting or socializing with their classmates and even their teachers, afraid that they will be judged or they fear that they will be rejected. Because of these behavior in class, it can affect their learning and their grades causing them to have low scores on exams and other activities and sometimes they don’t even want to go to school.

Let us raise awareness to let the people know that those who suffer from social anxiety disorder should not be discriminated but they need us to help them overcome it. People should know what social anxiety disorder is all about and the signs to know who have it to avoid stereotyping that will have a negative impact on those who suffer from social anxiety disorder.

Everyone has their own story to tell so do not judged other without knowing it first instead be the friend who will listen and make them feel loved and not a threat to others.